A FLIGHT of balloons against the backdrop of the Burren last night marked the fourth anniversary of the tragic death of Swiss student Manuela Riedo in Galway city.
Ms Riedo’s parents, Arlette and Hans Peter, were among several hundred people present for the ceremony before tonight’s annual fundraising concert “A Night for Manuela” in Salthill.
A bagpiper played a lament before a countdown for the balloon release. Mayor of Galway Hildegarde Naughton (FG) and a number of gardaí who worked on the investigation into the murder of Ms Riedo – on October 8th, 2007 – attended.
“Today we are happy to be back,” the Riedos said, adding they felt their daughter’s presence at the memorial event at Ladies Beach. On Thursday, they spent two hours at the location near Renmore where their daughter’s body was found. Every time they returned to Galway they recognised more familiar faces, the Riedos added. The couple are staying for a week and hope to take in a visit to the Aran Islands.
A total of 60 students from Ms Riedo’s college, École Professionale in Fribourg, Switzerland, travelled to Galway for the anniversary. They have been joined by 60 Galway students as a mark of solidarity between the communities.
The fundraising concert, initiated by Galwayman Shane Lennon and friends in 2008, has raised €74,000 to date. The funds are being used to provide education and support programmes for young people in conjunction with the Galway Rape Crisis Centre.
Ms Riedo (17) was attacked and killed less than three days after arriving in Galway with fellow students from Fribourg to study English. Mervue native Gerald Barry (32) was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life.